How far is Hot Springs, SD from Watertown, SD?
The driving distance from Hot Springs, SD to Watertown, SD is about 412 miles (663.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 331 miles (532.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 48m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in and county seat of Lyman County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hot Springs and Watertown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs and Watertown.
-
1
Start on the route
28 m · 9 sec
-
2
Turn right onto University Avenue
64 m · 15 sec · University Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto South Chicago Street
1817 ft · 31 sec · South Chicago Street
-
4
Continue on Jensen Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Jensen Highway
-
5
Continue on Fall River Road
4 mi · 5 min · Fall River Road
-
6
Turn left onto SD Highway 79
6.2 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 79
-
7
Continue on Highway 79
9.6 mi · 10 min · Highway 79
-
8
Continue on SD Highway 79
9.7 mi · 10 min · SD Highway 79
-
9
Continue on South Highway 79
8.1 mi · 9 min · South Highway 79
-
10
Continue on South Heartland Expressway
2172 ft · 34 sec · South Heartland Expressway
-
11
Continue on South Highway 79
13.6 mi · 16 min · South Highway 79
-
12
Take the exit slight right
1087 ft · 30 sec
-
13
Keep slight right
697 ft · 20 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Elk Vale Road
5.2 mi · 7 min · Elk Vale Road
-
15
Take the exit slight right
2710 ft · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left
287.7 mi · 4 hr 31 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward SD 25: Emery, Farmer
1688 ft · 48 sec
-
18
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
23.8 mi · 28 min · SD Highway 25
-
19
Turn right onto SD Highway 34
6 mi · 7 min · SD Highway 34
-
20
Turn left onto SD Highway 25
60 mi · 1 hr 11 min · SD Highway 25
-
21
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 212
3.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 212
-
22
Continue on 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 4th Street
-
23
Continue on US Highway 212
10.6 mi · 12 min · US Highway 212
-
24
Continue on 9th Avenue Southwest
6.4 mi · 9 min · 9th Avenue Southwest
-
25
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.1 km · 2 min · South Broadway
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hot Springs and Watertown.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Elk Vale Road
Merge slight left
288 mi · 04h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Hot Springs and Sunny near Watertown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hot Springs to Watertown?
The road trip is about 412 miles (663.1 km) and usually takes 06h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kennebec is a useful midpoint, sitting about 229.2 miles from Hot Springs and 182.9 miles from Watertown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 331 miles (532.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 81 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.83 one way or $109.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 129.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Hot Springs and Watertown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers around Hot Springs and Sunny near Watertown.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hot Springs and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 330.99 mi (532.68 km).
#1 Hot Springs
City in Fall River County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 3,502 |
| Coordinates | 43.4316500, -103.4743600 |
| Altitude | 1051 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Watertown
City in and county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 22,303 |
| Coordinates | 44.8994100, -97.1150700 |
| Altitude | 528 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Broadway (-97.115008, 44.899398)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 663 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $54.83 | $109.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $61.84 | $123.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $67.67 | $135.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $77.12 | $154.24 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in South Dakota · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.